Princeton man, convicted of Worcester killing, must wait 18 years before chance at parole

Tuesday

Jul 8, 2014 at 2:44 PMJul 8, 2014 at 7:20 PM

By Gary V. Murray TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF

WORCESTER — A Princeton man was sentenced today to life imprisonment with a possibility of parole in 18 years, after being convicted of second-degree murder in a fatal stabbing last year during a party on Sherbrook Avenue.

Jay S. Anderson, 22, of 15 Calamint Hill Road North, Princeton was found guilty of second-degree murder June 27 in the stabbing death of 20-year-old Boris M. Velez II, and was sentenced in Worcester Superior Court. Mr. Velez died Feb. 5, 2013, three days after being stabbed in the neck by Mr. Anderson during a party at 35 Sherbrook Ave.

The fatal stabbing followed an argument between the two men.

A 12-member jury rejected Mr. Anderson's claims of self-defense and found him guilty of second-degree murder. Mr. Anderson was sentenced by Judge David Ricciardone under a 2012 change in the law that gives judges the discretion to establish minimum parole eligibility dates in second-degree murder cases.

Defendants convicted of second-degree murder in the past were sentenced to the statutory life term, but became eligible to seek parole after serving 15 years.

The change in the law gave judges the authority to fix a minimum term of not less than 15 years nor more than 25 years. It is still up to the state Parole Board to determine whether a person convicted of second-degree murder will be paroled after serving the minimum number of years set by the court.

The new law also applies to other life sentences, with the exception of those imposed for first-degree murder and multiple life sentences arising out of separate and distinct incidents occurring at different times.

Mr. Anderson's was believed to be the first Worcester Superior Court case in which the new law was used.

Assistant District Attorney Brett F. Dillon recommended that Mr. Anderson not become eligible to seek parole before serving a minimum of 25 years. Mr. Anderson's lawyer, Peter L. Ettenberg, asked the judge to set a 15-year minimum.

Several family members and friends read impact statements in which they described Mr. Velez, "Bo," as he was known to them, as a loving, caring, considerate young man whose promising life was cut short by a "senseless act of violence."

"One year and five months have passed since the death of my son and my family and I are still devastated at the loss of Boris' life. I feel like there is this insurmountable hole left in my heart that I can't seem to refill," said the victim's father, Boris Velez.

"He was a happy, outgoing, kindhearted, polite young man and his smile would light up a room," Mr. Velez said of his son, who was known to give his winter apparel to friends who had none so they could keep warm.

"Bo was my life, my heart, my strength, my best friend, my everything. And now he is gone. Now, I have nothing because of Jay Anderson," said the victim's grieving mother, Mechelle Azar.

Mr. Anderson was granted permission to address the court before his sentence was imposed.

"I'm very sorry that all this happened," he said. He then directed his remarks at his victim's family, telling them he was sorry for their loss.

Mr. Anderson said he planned to make the most of his life behind bars and "make myself a better person because of it."